Mending Minds: the consequences of cyberbullying

Technology has successfully integrated into human lives, making itself the utmost necessity.

What used to be an extension to help improve daily lives, has become a basic need amongst humans.

Although there is an utmost appreciation for such advancement, all good things come with a price.

Most of the time, the price is too high, such as the effects on our mental health.

Our social media and various other online platforms have made it extremely easy for bullies to pierce through what used to be our safe space.

Back in the day, bullying usually only occurred in schools and stayed within school compounds.

However, with the wonders of the internet, they are now able to perverse our personal spaces, leaving no room for rest or even recovery from harsh comments.

Mending Minds Digital Poster

(Source: @_fortitude2021 via Instagram)

On the 26th of June, Saturday, Fortitude, an Event Operation module conducted by students from Bachelors of Mass Communication (Public Relations & Events), hosted a mental health forum titled ‘Mending Minds’.

This forum highlighted three specific aspects of cyberbullying; Mental illnesses due to cyberbullying, Roles of social media, and Reframing unhelpful thinking patterns.

Alongside the students, the forum invited guest speakers: Associate Professor Dr. Anasuya Jegathevi Jegathesan, Program Director Master of Counselling Psychology in Taylor’s University, Evan Kok Choon Fong, Senior University Counsellor in CCS, Taylor’s University, and Victor Tan, Vice Chairman of Befrienders KL.

“This (cyberbullying) can be stopped. As long as we take it seriously, and we understand that this is not normal bullying,” said Dr. Anasuya.

From Tan’s analysis, some of the mental health effects of cyberbullying are negative effects on self-esteem, enhancing peer problems where the survivors become bullies themselves and developing substance abuse.

Survivors no longer have a safe space or outlet to shield themselves and let out their emotions of hurt and anger, which can result in these mental health effects.

Kok emphasised the importance of having assertiveness in oneself and identifying the intention of the bullies.

Knowing that these comments are untrue and learning how to set boundaries between them and the bully are pertinent in dealing effectively with one’s mental health.

There are things that parents or bystanders can do to support or help a victim of cyberbullying Here is some advice by the three speakers:

1. Parents need to understand their role in their child’s life, which predominantly means actively listening to their child without judgment or spontaneously reacting out of fear or panic. It is important to allow the child to express openly and understand that letting an adult know about the bullying is one step closer to ending it. If not, this results in their child being reluctant to share about their lives.

2. Be alert to signs of cyberbullying. This includes being secretive or protective of one’s digital life, withdrawing from digital communication, being nervous or jumpy when receiving a digital notification and/or being negatively emotional when or after using digital devices.

3. Inculcate a positive mindset. This is crucial to everyone where we need to develop compassion and kindness for everybody around us. Make sure to always check up on your friends and siblings, and let them know they are appreciated and loved by their community. Reach out to those who tend to isolate themselves often as you will never know what is going on in their lives.

Stay tuned for future updates of upcoming events by Fortitude on their Facebook and Instagram.